Lemon Law Blog

In the wake of the massive Toyota recalls comes some stressful news from Nissan and General Motors.  Both manufacturers are announcing pretty extensive recalls on some of their most popular models.

Let’s start with Nissan, who has announced a recall of 539,864 vehicles due to faulty brake pedal pins and fuel gauge components.   Those models affected by the brake pin recall include 2008-2010 Nissan Titan, Armada, Quest and the high-end Infiniti QX56.There have been three reported instances of brake pedal pins partially disengaging, causing a loss of normal braking activity and Nissan has centered the problem on the supplier’s part.  All Nissan vehicles currently on sale are free of this problem.

The fuel gauge recall affects 2005-2008 Nissan Titan, Armada, Quest and Infiniti QX56 models, as well as an Nissan Frontier, Pathfinder and Xterra models produced between January and March 2006 or between October 2007 and January 2008.  Vehicles at higher mileage may have fuel gauges which incorrectly indicate the amount of fuel in the tank.  This may result in the vehicle running out of gas even through the gauge does not read empty.

Owners of all recalled Nissan models will be notified in March.  For more information, contact Consumer Affairs at 1-800-NISSAN1 for Nissan or 1-800-662-6200 for Infiniti.   In the meantime, if you have previously reported these problems and the issue was never repaired properly, feel free to contact us to determine if you are entitled to remedy under State or Federal Law.

On the General Motors front, the manufacturer is recalling 1.3 million vehicles due to faulty steering systems.  This comes as no surprise to us as we have received countless calls, and have resolved well over a thousand cases, pertaining to faulty steering systems in Chevrolet, Pontiac and GM models.

The recalled models include 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalts and 2007-2010 Pontiac G5 models.   The sudden loss of power steering can occur at any time and consumers are urged to not wait for the recal notice if the problem happens.  They are to report to an authorized manufacturer’s dealer immediately for assistance.

When the power steering problem occurs, drivers will hear a chime sound while a power steering indicator lights up on the dashboard.  The vehicle will be difficult to steer, especially under 15 miles per hour.  The problem has so far resulted in 14 reported accidents, although we have seen many occurrences of this.  For more information on the GM recall, call 800-222-1020.

If your power steering goes out three or more times during your original or extended manufacturers warranty, you have rights and it is important to look into them to determine the remedies you are entitled to.  For more information, please call us at 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652) or send us an e-mail.

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The New York Times is reporting that the National Highway Traffic and Safety Adminsitration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation regarding the electric power steering system in 905,000 Chevrolet Cobalts, model years 2005-2009.

NHTSA says more than 1,132 complaints have been filed by Cobalt drivers, with eleven accidents and one injury reported.  Most of these incidents have occurred within the past six months.  Drivers complained that once the power steering system failed, it became difficult to control their car and keep it in the traffic lane. 

General Motors has said they will answer any questions posed during the investigation, and the case will either result in an analysis of the power steering engineering or the matter will be closed.

Kimmel & Silverman frequently receives calls from distressed drivers who have complained about power steering in their Cobalts, as well as other GM vehicles including the Imapla and Malibu.  That being said, we have found that General Motors is a very responsible company and takes consumers’ issues very seriously.  Most power steering issues we have brought to the company’s attention have been resolved efficiently to the consumer’s satisfaction.  Most claims we open start with power steering noises, where steering shafts have been lubed or steering columns have been replaced.

If you find yourself experiencing problems with your power steering, and have been back to an authorized GM dealership three or more times to report the problem, or the vehicle has been in the shop for an extended period of time while the service team investigates the matter, you may be entitled to remedy under State Lemon Law or Federal Warranty Law.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact us for more information.

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It’s time again for us to provide a roundup of recent refunds, repurchases and replacements.  Under the State Lemon Laws and the Federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, all of our clients receive completely cost-free legal help, with the manufacturers covering the legal fees ON TOP OF what our client receives.  We are very proud of our efforts and encourage you to reach out to us at 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652) or via e-mail  if you think your vehicle may qualify for remedy.   Here we go….

2008 Dodge Dakota, Replacement Vehicle  — Newark, DE

2008 Audi A5, $6,500 cash plus client keeps their car — Jenkintown, PA

2009 Chevrolet Impreza, Replacement Vehicle — Telford, PA

2007 Hyundai Santa Fe, $5,000 plus client keeps their car — Cranbury, NJ

2008 Volkswagen Rabbit, Complete Refund — Greenwich, CT

2008 Buell Blast Motorcycle, Replacement Bike — Aberdeen, MD

2009 Infiniti G37, Complete Refund — Randolph, NJ

2007 Cadillac Escalade (70,000 miles), $5,500 cash plus client keeps their car — Bloomfield, NJ

2008 BMW 5-series, Replacement Vehicle — Perrysburg, OH

2008 Chrysler Sebring, Complete Refund –Somerville, MA

2008 Ford Ranger, $8,000 cash plus client keeps their car — Spring Grove, PA

2008 BMW 335i, $18,500 cash plus client keeps car and receives 7 yr/100k extended warranty- West New York, NJ

2008 Ford F250, $5,000 cash plus client keeps their truck — Rome, NY

2009 Honda Accord, Replacement Vehicle — York, PA

2009 Chevrolet Silverado, Replacement Vehicle — New Galihee, PA

2007 Audi Q7, Replacement Vehicle — Middletown, DE

2007 Pontiac G6, Complete Refund — Oceanside, NY

2008 Jeep Patriot, Complete Refund — Uniontown, PA

2005 Land Rover Range Rover, $6,500 cash plus client keeps car — Richboro, PA

2009 Dodge Challenger, Complete Refund — Brick, NJ

2008 Jeep Liberty, Complete Refund — Clarksville, PA

2008 Smart Car Cabriolet, Replacement Vehicle — Findlay, OH

2007 Hyundai Entourage, Complete Refund — Holbrook, NY

2006 Suzuki Forenza, Complete Refund — Elkins Park, PA

2009 Volvo S80, $7,500 cash plus client keeps their car — Frederick, MD

2008 GMC Arcadia, $5,000 cash plus client keeps their car — Boston, MA

2007 Toyota Camry, Complete Refund — Pikesville, MD

2008 BMW 335i, Replacement Vehicle — Old Bridge, NJ

2007 Mercedes Benz ML320, Complete Refund — River Vale, NJ

2009 Mazda 6, $6,500 cash plus client keeps their car — Elizabeth, NJ

2009 Audi A5, Replacement Vehicle — Hamilton, NJ

2008 Jeep Wrangler, Complete Refund  — Pisacataway, NJ

2009 Audi S5,  Replacement Vehicle –Boston, MA

2008 Mazda CX7, $5,000 cash plus client keeps their car — Monroeville, PA

2008 Dodge Ram, Complete Refund –Rural Valley, PA

2007 Moto Guzzi Motorcycle, Complete Refund — Flemington, NJ

2007 Chevrolet Silverado, $6,850 cash plus client keeps their car –Brooklyn, NY

2007 Jeep Compass, Complete Refund — Lancaster, PA

2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, $8,000 cash plus client keeps their SUV — Oliver, PA

2007 Hyundai Veracruz, Replacement Vehicle — Glassboro, NJ

Driving a lemon?  Join the more than 60,000 distressed drivers who have made the call to 1-800 LEMON LAW!

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It’s time for another roundup of recent repurchases and refunds.  These blog entries are always our favorite to write.  Kimmel & Silverman is dedicated to being the oldest, largest and most helpful lemon law firm in the Northeast, successfully handling over 50,000 lemon law and breach of warranty claims since our inception at absolutely no cost to consumers.  The following are just a few of the cases resolved in the last 30 days:

• 2008 Nissan Altima -Complete Repurchase under New Jersey Lemon Law (resolved in 24 days)
• 2008 Mazda 3 -$6,500 cash under Pennsylvania Lemon Law (plus client kept their car)
• 2008 Suzuki Forenza -Complete Repurchase under Ohio Lemon Law (resolved in 23 days)
• 2005 Suzuki Forenza -$5,000 cash under Pennsylvania Lemon Law (plus client kept their car)
• 2008 GMC Yukon -Complete Repurchase under Ohio Lemon Law (resolved in 45 days)
• 2006 Kia Sedona -$4,500 cash under Magnuson Moss Warranty Act (plus client kept their car)
• Used 2008 Kia Sorento -$3,875 cash under Magnuson Moss Act (plus client kept their car)
• 2008 Suzuki Sx4 -Complete Repurchase under Pennsylvania Lemon Law (resolved in 41 days)
• 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara -Complete Repurchase under Pennsylvania Lemon Law
• 2008 Subaru Impreza-$4,600 cash under Connecticut Lemon Law (plus client kept their car)
• 2009 Honda Accord-Complete Repurchase under New Jersey Lemon Law (resolved in 70 days)
• Used 2006 Mazda Tribute-$6,000 under Magnuson Moss Act (plus client kept their car)
• 2008 Mazda CX7 with 30,000 miles-$4,000 under New Jersey Lemon law (plus client kept car)
• 2008 GMC Siera -$5,000 cash under Pennsylvania Lemon Law (plus client kept their car)
• 2008 Lexus GS350 -Complete Repurchase under New Jersey Lemon Law
• Leased 2007 Jeep Wrangler with 27,000 miles – $5,000 under Magnsuon Moss Warranty Act
• 2008 Saturn Outlook – $7,000 cash under Pennsylvania Lemon Law (plus client kept their car)
• 2006 GMC Sierra – $5,000 cash under New York Lemon Law (plus client kept their car)
• 2009 Jeep Wrangler – Complete Repurchase under Pennsylvania Lemon Law (resolved in 60 days)
• 2007 BMW 3 series,first repair at 29,000 miles -$4,000 under Magnuson Moss Act (client kept car)
• Used 2003 Cadillac CTS with 64,000 miles -$3,000 under Magnuson Moss Act (plus client kept car)
• 2008 Lexus RX350 – Complete Repurchase under Massachusetts Lemon Law
• 2009 Mazda 6 – Complete Repurchase under New Jersey Lemon Law (resolved in 20 days)
• 2008 Audi A4 – Complete Repurchase under New Jersey Lemon Law (resolved in 3 months)
• Used 2007 Pontiac Solstice -$4,000 cash under Magnuson Moss Act (plus client kept car)
• 2008 GMC Arcadia – Complete Repurchase under Pennsylvania Lemon Law (resolved in 30 days)
• 2006 Chevrolet HHR with 26,000 miles- $4,500 under Maryland Lemon Law (plus client kept car)
• 2006 Volvo S60 – $6,500 under New Jersey Lemon Law (plus client kept car)
• Used 2006 Pontiac Torrent -$3,000 under Magnuson Moss Act (client kept car; resolved in 19 days)
• 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, first defect at 20,000 miles -$5,500 under Magnuson Moss Act (client kept car)

If you feel you may have a potential lemon law or breach of warranty claim, contact us at 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652) or drop us a line.  We will be glad to review your situation and see if we can help.  With eleven Lemon Law attorneys, six full-service offices, three ASE-certified mechanics on staff, and a complete support team of experienced paralegals and administrators, no one can get you on the road to recovery quicker than Kimmel & Silverman. 

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As previously reported in the Lemon Law Blog on June 4th, General Motors intends to accept responsibility for all lemon law and breach of warranty claims of past, present and future leases and sales.  A Reuters report confirmed General Motor’s responsibility, as the manufacturer moves forward with a bid to win court approval to reorganize the company.

The new GM would be 60 percent owned by the US government, 17.5 percent by the United Auto Workers union and 11.7 percent by the governments of Canada and the province of Ontario.   Under the reorganization plan, the new company would be created by late August.

In the meantime, we are moving forward with all General Motors lemon law and breach of warranty claims, including Pontiac, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Hummer, Saturn, and Cadillac. We currently have a system in place where we can advocate quickly for our clients’ rights, with cases being expedited efficiently.  We have been assured that GM is committed to making sure this continues and we applaud the company for continuing to make consumers’ rights a priority. Remedies include full repurchase, or full or partial refunds and as always the legal help is completely cost-free. 

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A number of General Motors drivers are calling into the 1-800 LEMON LAW hotline seeking assistance with hesitation on acceleration.  There has been a Technical Service Bulletin issued by GM for all 2007-2009 Cadillac Escalades (including the EXT and ESV models), 2006-2009 Cadillac XLR and XLR-V models , 2007-2009 Chevrolet Silverados, Suburbans, and Tahoes, 2006-2009 Corvettes, 2007-2009 GMC Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL models, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 models equipped with a gasoline engine and automatic transmission.

In these situations, the driver may experience a sag or hesitation when accelerating during a lane change, or when a lunge when trying to make a complete hard stop.

If you are suffering with this problem, you must bring your vehicle to an authorized GM dealership so they can address the matter.  Please reference TSB PIP4112H.  Do not allow the dealer to tell you this is a normal characteristic of the vehicle; it is not. Also, make sure that you receive a warranty repair invoice which clearly outlines the problem when you pick up the vehicle.

If you find that the problem can’t be fixed efficiently and effectively after several attempts, please get in touch with us either by phone at 1 800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652) or via e-mail. We will discuss your situation with you and see how we can help.

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